Devices for holding cargo



Dec. 7, 1965 M. J. SILVERMAN DEVICES FOR HOLDING CARGO Original FiledNov. 1, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR.

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DEVICES FOR HOLDING CARGO Original Filed Nov. 1, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

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ATTOP/YEYS United States Patent C) 3,221,921 DEVICES FOR HGLBING CARGOMilton J. Silverman, 9623 Grossmont Blvd Grossmont, Calif.

Continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 66,579, Nov. 1, 1960.This application Dec. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 157,958

4 Claims. (Cl. 22046) This is a continuation application of myapplication Serial Number 66,579, dated Nov. 1, 1960, now abandoned.

My invention relates in general to materials handling devices and moreparticularly to devices for holding cargo in shipment.

An object of my invention is the provision of a cargo container forencasing cargo and for moving said cargo by floating the cargo containeron the waters of the world and propelling it by external means; typicalincluded objects include the following: provision of a means oftransferring cargo by water without the use of cargo boats or barges;provision of a means for a relatively small boat, of almost any type, tomove relatively large quantities of cargo by towing or pushing the saidcargo containers; provision of a means for unloading cargo from shipswhile such ships are at positions where such unloading is impossible orimpracticable using present means as for example when a ship is toolarge to enter a port for which it might otherwise carry cargo, in whichcase, using the said cargo containers, the ship, lying to or at anchoroff the port, lowers cargo encased in the said cargo containers into thewater where the cargo containers can be taken into tow by a boat andpropelled to the port where they can be lifted out of the water forfurther transfer; provision of a means for ships to unload cargo atports without entering such ports and thus saving ship transit time,pilotage fees, docking and ship handling fees, and eliminating theadditional hazard which is inherent in the navigation of ships inrestricted waters, thus making it economically feasible for ships todeliver cargo to ports which, using present methods, it is not otherwisepossible to service as, for example, when a shipment for a port is sosmall as to make it otherwise economically unwise to undertake thecarrying of it; provision of a means to unload cargo in cases where,even if a cargo boat or barge were available, such unloading would beimpossible or impracticable as, for example, when weather conditions aresuch that there is a large relative movement between a ship and analongside cargo boat or barge making it impossible, or unsafe, to unloadcargo because of the difliculty in placing the cargo into the boat oronto the barge due to the relative motion, such motion also giving riseto the possibility of damage due to sharp contact between the ship andthe boat or barge, such weather not normally precluding the lowering ofthe said cargo containers into the water and the towing or pushing ofthe containers to the port or beach, the contact of the said containerswith the water being much smaller, in the sense of shock, as compared tothe contact of cargo with a cargo boat or barge; provision of a means ofservicing coastal ports or points not having cargo boats or barges byutilizing almost any type of small boat which might be available as atowing or pushing boat for propelling the said cargo containers, or, incertain special cases, by using a dragline or other external propellingmeans; and provision of a suitable watertight container for use with myWatercraft for Carrying Floatable Cargo disclosed in my copendingapplication Serial Number 124,555 dated July 17, 1961, all providing ameans for opening up a larger part of the World to service by watershipment.

3,221,921 Patented Dec. 7, 1965 "ice Another object of my invention isthe provision of a cargo container which provides a measure ofprotection against sinking of ships which carry such cargo containers;an included object is a reduction in ship insurance rates.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a cargo containerwhich will maintain the contents free from harmful effects normallycaused by water.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a cargo containerwhich can be used for holding bulk cargo as well as for holding othertypes of cargo.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a cargo containerclosure panel and materials handling framework panel which can be easilyand quickly locked into place as a closure panel for a cargo containeror as a cargo holding panel for a materials handling framework, andeasily and quickly unlocked from place when so locked.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a collapsible cargocontainer; an included object is the minirnization of shiping chargesfor empty cargo containers.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the cargo container being held by asuitable materials handling framework;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cargo container withoutthe materials handling framework showing the watertight closure panellocked to the hollow airtight body section; since the cargo containercan be used without the materials handling framework, the framework isnot shown in this drawing;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view showing theclosure panel of the cargo container locked to the body of the shipingcontainer;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view showing thepreferred embodiment of the closure panel of the cargo container lockedto the body of the shipping container;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the preferredembodiment of the materials handling framework panel in position belowanother embodiment of the materials handling framework;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of thecollapsible cargo container;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the flexiblehollow section of a collapsible cargo container locked to the closurepanel;

FIGURE 8 shows a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of theflexible hollow section of a collapsible cargo container locked to theclosure panel and to the materials handling framework.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the panel which is to be used in two mainfunctions and which is referred to, according to the funtion performed,as either the closure panel or as the materials handling frameworkpanel;

FIGURE 10 shows a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of theflexible hollow section of a collapsible cargo container locked toanother embodiment of the closure panel and to the materials handlingframework;

FIGURES 11 and 12 show a fragmentary vertical crosssectional view ofother embodiments of the closure panel locked to other embodiments ofthe body; and

FIGURE 13 shows a fragmentary vertical cross-section showing the closurepanel locked to the materials handling framework adapter.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in FIG- URE l a hollowairtight body It), with an open face opening downward, and havinggrooves on the edges, is shown being held by a suitable materialshandling framework, the pipe members 11 of said framework beingidentified in the drawing. A watertight closure panel 12 is shown belowthe open. face of the body. The materials handling framework shown canbe assembled in its holding position, encaging the body 10, by screwingthe pipemembers 11 into the corner fittings 13; the pipe members 11 thusrest in the grooves located on the edges of the body and hold the body10 encaged. The materials handling framework provides a suitable meansof handling the cargo containers in that the corner fittings 13 arehollowed out, as shown in FIGURE 1, to provide three bars at the outsideedges of each fitting which can be engaged by wires, ropes, hooks, andsimilar handling means; the materials handling framework and the cornerfittings are disclosed in my co-pending application Serial Number124,710 dated July 17, 1961. In FIG- URE 2 the watertight closure panel12 is shown mated as a closure to the open face of the body 10. Inasmuchas the cargo container can be used without a materials handlingframework, such a framework is not shown in FIGURE 2. Holding lips 14 onthe periphery of the watertight closure panel 12 engage the edges of theopen face of the body 10 when the watertight closure panel 12 is mated,as shown, to the body It]. An air-expanding tube 15 is shown in anexpanded position; this tube encircles the periphery of the watertightclosure panel 12, being held in an annular recess which is located onthe periphery as shown. The watertight closure panel 12 is locked inposition, as shown, closing the open face of the body 10, by theair-expanding tube 15 which, when expanded as shown, engages an annulargroove located on the opposing lower edge of the body 10. The holdinglips 14 prevent substantial lateral movement of the edges of the openface away from the tube. The airexpanding tube 15 thus acts as a meansof locking and unlocking the panel 12 and the body 10 one from the otherand also acts to provide a means of sealing the junction between the twoparts, against the passage of water therethrough, by pressing againstboth as shown; pressure within the air-expanding tube 15 causes the tubeto conform to such minor variations as might occur in the positions ofthe edges of the open face of the body 10 relative to the edges of theclosure panel 12, such variations not thereby breaking the seal.Although the tube 15 is referred to hereinbefore as an air-expandingtube, it is to be understood that other pressure means, such as gas orliquids, can also be used.

The manner in which water is prevented from entry into the container isdescribed in more detail as follows: assuming the container is floatedin a body of water, the watertight closure panel 12 is watertight andthereby prevents passage of water therethrough, the expandedair-expanding tube 15 prevents passage of water through the junctionbetween the watertight closure panel 12 and the body 10, and the body 10is airtight and therefore watertight and prevents passage of watertherethrough. The purpose of making the body 18 airtight is described asfollows: if the air-expanding tube failed to make a completelywatertight seal, as for example when an unnoticed piece of debris iscaught between the tube 15 and the walls of the body 10 during thelocking process, the pressure of the air entrapped within the body 10will, when the cargo container is in the substantially vertical positionshown, prevent entry of water. Also it can be seen that if thewatertight closure panel 12 for some other reason loses itswatertightness the pressure, normally atmospheric pressure, of the airentrapped Within the body 10 will likewise prevent substantial entry ofwater into the shipping container. It can be seen that when suchcontainers are carried by a ship, protection is afforded against damageof the encased cargo by water and fumes, and protection would be givenalso against sinking of the ship, which might be occasioned by openingof the hull, by reason of the added compartmentation aiforded by suchcontainers, the air-entrapment feature giving protection even in thecase of damaged containers by preventing water entry substantially abovethe point of the uppermost point of rupture of the container.

It is to be understood that by virtue of being airtight, the body isalso watertight, and that loss of airtightness, insofar as such lossdoes not negate watertightness, will not negate the watertightness ofthe container but would, in the sense described, negate theair-entrapment feature; thus this disclosure includes also a bodyimpervious to the passage of water therethrough.

As shown in FIGURE 3, in which, as in FIGURE 1, the materials handlingframework members are again shown, the watertight closure panel 12 canbe unlocked from the body 10 by opening the valve 16; the air inside thetube escapes through this valve and the air-expanding tube 15 relaxes,from the position shown to the position shown by the broken lines. Thewatertight closure panel 12 is then free to drop clear, the lock andseal having been broken by the relaxation of the air-expanding tube 15;the body 10 is thus free to be lifted clear to expose encased cargo toease of access.

To load cargo, the watertight closure panel 12 is separated from thebody 10, the air-expanding tube 15 being in the relaxed position, andcargo is placed upon the watertight closure panel 12; the combinedweight of contalner and cargo is kept a suflicient amount less than theweight of water to be displaced, when the container is to be used in afloating application for moving cargo, that the container and theencased cargo will float. The body 10 is then lowered by suitable meansto the mating closure position with the watertight closure panel 12,thus covering the cargo, and then air (or gas or liquid) is injectedthrough the open valve 16 to expand the airexpanding tube 15 and thenthe valve 15 is closed to lock the air within the tube 15; the cargocontainer is thus locked in a closed position.

In connection with the locking and sealing means hereinbefore described,air-expanding tube means are known in the art and have been disclosed asa means to lock and seal lids of cannisters; such means are not howeverof use in the present invention because their design 1s such that theycannot support the weights, of the magnitude expected in the cargocontainer application, lmposed on the customary square or rectangularclosure panel of the sizes found in such use; in the present inventlonthe holding lip 14 prevents substantial lateral movement of the bodyaway from the air-expanding tube which would cause the lock and seal tofail, thus, in combination with the tube 15 and the associated grooves,providing an effective locking and sealing means.

The watertight closure panel can be used in identical form as amaterials handling framework panel as shown in FIGURE 5. The sameframework previously described is a suitable framework for use in thisinstance in combination with the panel 12, and when the panel 12 ismated and locked to the materials handling framework the whole can beused for lifting cargo, such as an automobile, which may be placed uponthe said materials handling framework panel 12. FIGURE 5 shows thematerials handling framework panel 12 in position below elements ofanother embodiment of the materials handling framework. Adapter lowerrail members 17 replace the lower pipe members of the framework; theyinclude a grooved surface, as shown, which is engageable to theair-expanding tube 15. The method of looking the materials handlingframework panel 12 to the materials handling framework, and unlocking ittherefrom, is similar to that previously described, the expansion of theair-expanding tube effecting the locking, and the relaxation effectingthe unlocking. It can be seen that although the panel 12 has beendescribed as being watertight it need not be watertight in suchapplications as this and, further, that it need not be a solid panel.

FIGURE 6 shows a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a flexiblesection 18, hollow in shape when extended, and having an open face,covering cargo 19, shown by broken line, which has been placed on theclosure panel 12. As shown in FIGURE 7, the flexible section 18, made ofsuitable flexible material such as a synthetic plastic, is beaded at theedges of the open face by suitable means, such as the cord 20, and islocked and sealed by the action of the air-expanding tube 15, as shown;the flexible section 18 can be released by unlocking the air valve ofthe tube 15. It is apparent that watertight material, if chosen for theflexible section 18, can make the flexible section 18 Watertight andalso that choice of material can make it airtight as desired in whichlatter case the air-entrapment feature previously mentioned inconnection with floating applications is applicable in those cases whereprovision is made for holding out the sides and top of the flexiblesection 18 to prevent inward collapse which might otherwise beoccasioned by the pressure of the water outside; in FIGURE 6 it is seenthat boxed cargo 19 acts to thus hold out the sides; it is contemplated,however, that such a collapsible container would normally find usage innonfloating applications.

A materials handling framework similar to that previously described canbe used in conjunction with the flexible section 18 and the closurepanel 12, and framework members 11 can be engaged by such means as clipsor sleeves, secured to the flexible section 18, as a means of holdingthe flexible section 18 in a substantially fully extended position, thusproviding for convenience in loading and handling the cargo container.It is apparent that a number of other suitable means can be devised tothus hold the flexible section 18 in an extended position. Stiffness canbe added to the flexible section 18, as would oftentimes be desired, bysuch means as battens inserted into pockets in the material or by suchmeans as locking compressed air or gas between the walls of the doublewall type flexible section. When empty the container thus described canbe collapsed into a relatively small package.

It has been mentioned that it is not necessary in all cases to use amaterials handling framework for handling the cargo container, andFIGURE 2 shows the cargo container without a materials handlingframework. In those cases where such frameworks are not used, as forexample when they are not available for use or for some reason it is notdesired to use them, it is normally desirable that a means of attachmentto the cargo container be included to provide a means of attachingwires, ropes, hooks, and similar handling means. Such means can beprovided in many ways, a typical means being the attachment of loops orpadeyes to the cargo container.

Although the air-expanding tube 15 acts as a locking means and, asdescribed, a sealing means, it is apparent that sealing means are notrequired in all cases; as previously described, for example, pressure ofair entrapped within the body 10 normally prevents water from enteringthe container. It is further apparent that many means can be devised forlocking the panel 12 to the body 10 or 18 or to the framework members.It is also apparent that the holding lips 14 hereinbefore describedrepresent only one of the ways in which the edges of the hollow section10 can be held from lateral movement away from the edges of the panel12. It is apparent that my invention is not limited to the specificillustrations or descriptions given hereinbefore by Way of example, butis susceptible to various modifications and changes, all of which comewithin the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. A cargo container comprising a container having an opening at one endthereof, said container comprising sidewall portions adjacent saidopening, closure means for closing said opening, said closure meanscomprising a panel having a groove remote from the lateral edgesthereof, said groove defined by opposite faces and a bottom portion, oneof said faces having a recess therein, said side wall portions includingend portions having a recess formed therein cooperating with said recessin said groove, said end portions received in said groove between sideopposite faces, deflatable gasket means positioned in said recesses forlocking said panel to said container and for sealing said opening, atleast a portion of said end portions being constructed of rigidmaterial, said end portions abutting said gasket means and releasablyfixed between gasket means and said bottom portions of said groove, andmeans for deflating said gasket means to thereby release said endportions and unlock said panel from said container.

-2. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein said container isconstructed of flexible, collapsible material.

3. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein said container isconstructed of rigid material and said recess in one of said oppositefaces of said groove and in said end portion is provided on an insideface of said opposite faces and said end portion.

4. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein said container isconstructed of rigid material and said recess in one of said oppositefaces of said groove and in said end portion is provided on an outsideface of said opposite faces and said end portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 658,588 9/1900Reynolds et al. 220-46 2,360,276 10/ 1944 Redmond. 2,690,854 10/1954Kaye 220-46 2,762,551 9/1956 Fallert 206 2,919,826 l/1960 Richter 220-152,943,760 7/1960 Hamilton 220-8l THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

1. A CARGO CONTAINER COMPRISING A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING AT ONE ENDTHEREOF, SAID CONTAINER COMPRISING SIDEWALL PORTIONS ADJACENT SAIDOPENING, CLOSURE MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID OPENING, SAID CLOSURE MEANSCOMPRISING A PANEL HAVING A GROOVE REMOTE FROM THE LATERAL EDGESTHEREOF, SAID GROOVE DEFINED BY OPPOSITE FACES AND A BOTTOM PORTION, ONEOF SAID FACES HAVING A RECESS THEREIN, SAID SIDE WALL PORTIONS INCLUDINGEND PORTIONS HAVING A RECESS FORMED THEREIN COOPERATING WITH SAID RECESSIN SAID GROOVE, SAID END PORTIONS RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVE BETWEEN SIDEOPPOSITE FACES, DEFLATABLE GASKET MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID RECESS FORLOCKING SAID PANEL TO SAID CONTAINER AND FOR SEALING SAID OPENING, ATLEAST A PORTION OF SAID END PORTIONS BEING CONSTRUCTED OF RIGIDMATERIAL, SAID END PORTIONS ABUTTING SAID GASKET MEANS AND RELEAS-